CCTV cameras to keep constant vigil at bus stand

Bus commuters in Patiala may finally get some respite from nimble fingered pickpockets and the more audacious bag snatchers.

A CCTV camera being put up at the bus stand chowk in Patiala on Thursday.(Bharat Bhushan/HT Photo)

Bus commuters in Patiala may finally get some respite from nimble fingered pickpockets and the more audacious bag snatchers. Keeping a check on the menace at the main bus stand would be 12 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, eight of which have been installed on the premises and the remaining four at the red light intersection outside.

The high-resolution cameras would be operative 24x7 and directly beam the footage at the local police station. The project has been executed under a Rs 10lakh grant under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Fund (MPLAD), courtesy Dr Dharamvir Gandhi, member of Parliament.

Commuters lost no time in a regular bus user hailing the move. “This is a welcome step as it would help in beefing up security at the bus stand. Commuters often lose their bags or wallets. Now, they will feel secure under the watchful eye of the camera,” said Gurdeep Singh, a regular bus user.

A college student said, “Girls have to often face lewd comments and harassment. Hundreds of girls from nearby villages commute daily to the city for attending colleges, coaching institutes and varsity classes. Now, no one dare misbehave with them”.

“I am sure the CCTVs will enable us to deal with law and order more effectively. We hope to keep the entire bus stand and surrounding areas under surveillance. This will enhance the quality of vigil within the city, both by the security agencies and other stakeholders,” said the Station Officer, Lahori Gate, GS Sikand.

He added, “The initiative has been taken under the instructions of the senior superintendent of police. Car drivers often cross the red light, not caring two hoots for the law. Now, they will be ‘captured’ on the CCTVs.

The other CCTV cameras in the city are installed near Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib and Leela Bhawan.